Welcome to St. John Paul II

A New Chapter:

Welcoming Our New Pastor to our Parish family

Fr. Yamid Blanco (pronounced Jah-meed)

I was born into a strong Catholic family in a small town in eastern Colombia, South America. I am the youngest of five children. When I was about ten years old, my parents moved our family to the city of Villavicencio, located in the center of the country.

After graduating from high school, I entered the Colombian National Police Academy to study to become a police officer. I served with the police for four years. After leaving the police force, I began studying law. It was during that time that I felt God’s call to the priesthood. I entered the seminary in Bogotá, Colombia, where I completed my philosophy studies.

In 2005, I decided to leave the seminary for a year. During that time, I received a call from a Colombian priest friend who was serving in Milwaukee. He encouraged me to come to Milwaukee to continue my formation for the priesthood.

On July 16, 2007, I arrived in Milwaukee to study English for a year. In 2008, I began my theological studies at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.

As a seminarian, my teaching parish was St. Agnes in Butler, Wisconsin. During that time, I was also involved with the Capuchin Franciscan Peacemakers and their outreach ministry in Milwaukee’s inner city.

On May 19, 2012, I was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. My first assignment was as Associate Pastor at St. Francis Borgia Parish in Cedarburg. In June 2014, I was assigned as   Associate Pastor of three parishes in Burlington and Lyons: St. Mary, St. Charles Borromeo, and St. Joseph.

In June 2017, Archbishop Listecki appointed me Pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Racine and St. Louis Parish in Caledonia. I was blessed to serve those communities for seven years.

In May 2021, I became a citizen of the United States. God has blessed me abundantly in this beautiful country, which I now also call home. I do not speak perfect English and  probably never will, since English will always be my second language. However, I want you to know one thing: I truly love the English language!

In June 2024, Archbishop Listecki appointed me Pastor of St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish and    St. Joan of Arc Parish in Oconomowoc and Nashotah. After serving those wonderful communities for two years, Archbishop Grob appointed me as the new Pastor of St. John Paul II Parish.

Dear parishioners of St. John Paul II,

I am happy and excited to become your pastor and spiritual leader. I look forward to serving you and walking with you in faith for many years to come.

May our Lord Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary draw us ever closer to one another around the altar as we celebrate the beautiful gift of the Holy Eucharist. May they keep us united in one heart, one faith and one Church.